Skate park launches fundraiser
Bosses at a newly-built skate park have launched an appeal to safeguard its future.
The Unit3Sixty skate park in Mill Race Lane, Stourbridge, opened under three years ago.
It cost more than £200,000 and was the brainchild of former firefighter Gavin Pardoe, who wanted to provide more play facilities for the town's young people.
This week, however, Mr Pardoe has launched a new fundraising campaign for £5,000.
Mr Pardoe said: "Unit3sixty is a 22,000sqft indoor skatepark.
"Opening in November 2014 we are now reaching a point where essential maintenance of the wooden structure is required to ensure longevity, safety and continued enjoyment of the facility.
"unit3sixty is open seven days a week to provide a sustained indoor social enterprise where the children and young people of the Dudley borough and beyond can explore new and innovative ideas through urban recreation and social inclusion an a safe and secure environment."
Ten part-time and volunteer roles were created as part of the facility.
Activities provided at the former industrial park unit are BMX riding, skateboarding and scooter riding.
Other activities planned to run within the facility include graffiti art studios, an urban dance centre and DJ classes.
The centre is also partially run by a youth council made up of 13 to 27 year olds who make decisions about the park based on community suggestions.
The scheme was made possible thanks to funding from a number of organisations.
Grants include £10,000 from council-run community forums and a £75,000 loan from Charity Bank.
Tesco, Waitrose, the town's Ryemarket and Black Country businessman Geoff Hill.
The fundraising campaign is being run online. The amount raised so far is £95.
For more information or to donate, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/repair-maintenance-modernisation-and-improvement
